Bergen Community College Hosts Health Professions Consortium December 4, 2012

Who: The Northern New Jersey Health Professions Consortium (NNJHPC) is a cooperative effort among 10 community colleges to help meet the demand for an expanded healthcare workforce. The consortium was developed as part of a five-year federal grant, funded as part of the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obama Care.” Partners in the grant include local Workforce Investment Boards, One-Stop Centers and select area-wide employers in healthcare industries.

The founding members of NNJHPC include: Bergen Community College, Brookdale Community College, Essex County College, Hudson County College, Meridian Health System, Middlesex County College, County College of Morris, Passaic County Community College, Sussex County Community College, Union County College, and Warren County Community College. What: Bergen Community College will host the Northern New Jersey Health Professions Consortium Summit, a semi-annual event that provides consortium partners with an opportunity to network and share best practices, as well participate in workshops. When: Tuesday, December 4, 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Where: Bergen Community College’s main campus in Paramus, Moses Family Meeting and Training CenterWhy: The summit will explore employer engagement strategies. The member colleges also will work together to discuss how to best place students into the appropriate employment field.
This is an opportunity for journalists to learn about state tax incentives to explore on-the-job funding for students. Attendees also will discuss the coordination of efforts between different agencies to make sure students receive the services they need to be successful in their chosen field of study.
The objectives of the NNJHPC grant are to train 5,000 participants for entry-level healthcare occupations, assist them in securing nationally-recognized certification in their chosen field, and help them gain initial employment. The grant also assists clients in furthering their education through training initiatives. It particularly targets low-income individuals and those receiving other government benefits, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and General Assistance. The grant is designed to uncover the most effective strategies for helping individuals move from government subsidy to a self-supporting income.